1st Saisiyat exhibition held in Miaoli County

2014-12-03

An exhibition of artifacts from Taiwan’s indigenous Saisiyat tribe will be launched Dec. 5 at the Nan-Chung Saisiyat Museum in Miaoli County.

It will be the first time the Taipei City-based National Taiwan Museum displays its Saisiyat collection at the indigenous group’s hometown. “It is an honor for the NTM to organize this event and take these priceless pieces back to their home,” said NTM Director Chen Chi-ming at the Dec. 1 send-off ceremony.

“The exhibit is important for creating greater understanding among our young people of the cultural heritage of the Saisiyat.”

Comprising 47 pieces, including documents, earrings, weaponry and weaving tools, the exhibition features 20 pieces from the Taipei facility and items gathered by the Saisiyat themselves during field trips. It also delves into the relatively unknown history of the Saisiyat.

Chen said one item of particular interest is an 1887 plate gifted by Taiwan Gov. Liu Ming-chuan to honor the military achievements of tribal leader Basi’ A Bawnay. He is renowned for leading a group of Saisiyat, Atayal and Han Chinese to fight against Japanese forces in a land dispute in 1902.

Another equally meaningful artifact is a special earring symbolizing a male hero of the tribe. The piece, one centimeter in diameter, features four iron nails connecting sea shells. “This eye-catching accessory takes a big ear hole to wear. Unfortunately, the technique for making them is a lost art,” Chen said.

The exhibition, which will close June 7, 2015, is part of the NTM’s annual efforts to work with local indigenous museums to promote aboriginal cultures. The exhibition is the seventh of its kind held by the museum since 2009.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=224798&CtNode=413)